UNISON HE members urged to vote “Yes” in pay strike ballot

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UNISON HE members urged to vote “Yes” in pay strike ballot

UNISON members working in higher education are being asked to vote ‘Yes” in a pay ballot starting today.

The union believes the employer’s pay offer just isn’t good enough. Most staff would see a pay increase of just 1.8% – well below inflation. The ballot follows a recent consultation where over two thirds of HE members rejected the employers’ offer.

UNISON pushed hard for a decent pay rise for its members. Along with the other unions, the pay claim was for:

a rise of RPI plus 3%, or a minimum increase of £3,349;

£10 per hour minimum rate of pay;

all universities to become accredited by the Living Wage Foundation;

a 35-hour working week;

action to close the gender and ethnicity pay gaps;

action to reduce excessive workloads and combat stress.

A statement from the union said: “But university employers won’t stump up. Their offer falls short, with the majority of HE staff being offered a rise of 1.8%, and lower-paid staff offered between 1.82% and 3.65%. UNISON believes it’s time to stand up for decent pay and decent jobs.”